KAI proudly announces the addition of architect Veronica Castro de Barrera, AIA, LEED AP, as Transit Studio Leader in its Dallas, TX office.
“Veronica, as the leader of the Transit Group, seeks to bring her expertise, love and compassion for mobility solutions to KAI as we look to serve transit-focused clients nationally,” said Darren James, AIA, President and COO of KAI Texas. “Additionally, Veronica will work with our teams to ensure that mobility from all modes of transportation is incorporated into our community transformative projects.”
KAI has designed and managed the construction of more than 100 light rail stations in the Midwest and Southwest United States. Current transit projects include planning for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Cotton Belt Station, DART D2 Station, San Antonio VIA Brooks City-Base Transit Center and Austin Capital Metro IDIQ, as well as planning and review of DART’s overall security of the urban core stations.
Castro de Barrera has grown in her professional architectural career over the past 20 years where she has pursued her passion to design public projects that improve the quality of life. She specializes in transit and recreation projects, which include design of the high-capacity transit Metro Rail Stations for the first commuter rail line in Austin, TX, as well as the preliminary design of the Metro Rail downtown station for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Austin. Her creativity extends to public art installations where she was commissioned by the City of Austin Convention Center to create an interactive piece of art for the city at the corner of Trinity and Cesar Chavez streets in downtown Austin, which was unveiled in July 2016.
Other Austin-area projects she has designed and managed include: the Lakeline Station Park and Ride, Austin Convention Center exterior renovations and ADA improvements, bicycle commuter project for the City of Austin, Tech Ridge Park and Ride, Milton Reimers Ranch Park and Cooperfield Neighborhood Park.
“I am passionate about transit, walkable cities, public art and all aspects of active mobility, place-making and land use that promotes complete, equitable and sustainable communities,” said Castro de Barrera. “I believe that good design strengthens communities, especially when the urban fabric connects people to opportunities and delights the human spirit.”
Castro de Barrera has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is registered with the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners. She is also certified as a LEED Accredited Professional through the United States Green Building Council.
Castro de Barrera is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Texas Society of Architects and Congress for the New Urbanism. She serves on the Board of Directors for Creative Action and Congress for the New Urbanism Central Texas Chapter.